Rep. Charles RangelWashington — Embattled Rep. Charles Rangel, facing an investigation by the House ethics committee, says he has decided to temporarily step down from his post as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Rangel made the announcement to reporters on Capitol Hill today, saying he would not answer any questions. He said, “I hope you don’t mind. I don’t take questions.”

The New York Democrat said that “from the very, very beginning, I had offered” to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to step down from the post. He said he leaving “to avoid my colleagues having to defend me” during the campaign season.